We’ll be adding information and links, but here are a lot of resources in a quick cheat sheet format. If you are looking for kids’ activities in Seattle including sightseeing and fun, even a few kid-friendly restaurants, here is our A-List! We love living in this city and my 9 year old Daniel and I never run out of great things to do…just time!! We want you to know how great the city is and look forward to coming here. Or if you live here, please share your favorties with me too! The Comments is open, folks!

Gasworks Park to climb and fly kites, good for long or short visit, also arrive early to get a place for fireworks July 4 and New Year’s Eve (Wallingford on Lake Union)Golden Gardens Park (Ballard)Green Lake is a 3 mile walk around the lake which is always a great activity, and there is a playground to run around (in the Green Lake neighborhood which also has tennis courts, sports fields, kayak lessons, and some well-know casual dining, or Duke’s Chowder House for a slightly more formal meal with 4 award-winning chowders and good fish) and kids’ menu).Harbor Steps, Seattle (near SAM, the Art Museum)
International District AttractionsKlondike Gold Rush Park & Museum (downtown Seattle)

Theo Chocolate Factory Tour (need reservations, I did a blog on this once, will try to find it…it’s in Fremont)Underground Tour (Pioneer Sqaure)
UW Arboretum also has great Family ProgramsVertical World Rock Climbing Gym (in Queen Ann down around Nickerson…also new facility being planned for 2011)Volunteer Park Conservatory (Capitol Hill)Waterfall Garden (Pioneer Square…secluded and beloved)Wing Luke Museum (“The Wing”), International DistrictWoodland Park Zoo even though sometimes the animals hide, it is a good example of a modern, “green” zoo where the animals’ comfort is considered over that of the visitors, and has a cool parrot house where you can hold and or feed the birds, and a variety of exhibits…also a great indoor run/climb/play area which will be less crowded in the weekdays. (Phinney Ridge, near Green Lake and Fremont)World Spice (you like to cook, right? kids can explore and sniff, you can stock up…)Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (near Acquarium on Alaskan Way)

Snohomish Festival of PumpkinsWhen: Now through 10/31/2010
Where: Various locations in Snohomish, spread out over 5+ farms

Take a drive once or every weekend just north of Seattle to Snohomish County where all month pumpkin patches abound. The Festival of Pumpkins is one of Seattlites favortie October adventures, and entertains about 200,000 visitors per year. From hay rides to corn mazes to pumpkin slings, the fun is good, old fashioned, and plentiful. Many farms make a big effort this month and it’s worth it to visit more than one, as you will find family favorites that will offer seasonal activities throughout the year. Check out the websites of the five farms featured in the festival, and keep your eyes open for their less-publicized competitors as you wander the country roads on the trail of the Great Washington Pumpkin! At Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Patch you will find a cow train, hay rides, playground, trike track, pumpkin canon, corn roaster, fresh local cider, and organic veggies. Carleton Farm Produce will delight you with a trivia corn maze, haunted pumpkin patch, farm animals, and kids’ slide. Craven Farm has a 15 acre corn maze, pumpkin slinger, gifts and espresso. Stocker Corn Maze has trout fishing, hay rides, a Haunted Field of Screams (for teenagers) and much more. At Biringer Farm there is a 25′ goat climb, three mazes, Dark Tumbling Tunnel, Johnny Appleseed, a Dino Slide, and more than you can imagine!

Trader Joe’s continues to sponsor their diverse Silent Movie Monday series at the Paramount. This year the program includes some of silent cinema’s darkest crime dramas, including Josef von Sternberg’s masterpiece Underworld. For the film-lover who thinks silent movies are all pratfalls or the gangster film aficionado who thinks they have seen everything. Not a bad seat in the house and organist Jim Riggs is top notch. Highly recommended. $12 general admission.

As always, the Pacific Science Center is at the center of the action, in this case Harry Potter action. The last two movies are tantalizingly close to arrival. The kids have all the books, Lego toys, scarfs, and accessories. What else can sate their Potter appetite? Try the Pacific Science Center’s Harry Potter Exhibition, a traveling gallery of original props from the films, art, and interactive games. For the hardcore Potter fan only, which means pretty much every kid in town.

In this amazing exhibition, guests will get an up close and personal look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that appeared throughout the Harry Potter films. These authentic artifacts will be displayed in elaborate settings inspired by locations from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry including the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid’s hut and the Great Hall.

Columbus Day WeekendWhen: 1o/8/2010 through 10/11/2010
Where: Throughout Seattle, Washington

Columbus Day in Seattle marks the first Holiday Weekend of Fall The Summer’s heat and crowds are gone, which means locals and visitors alike can stroll the colorful streets. The air is refreshingly clear & crisp. Seattle doesn’t have an official Italian neighborhood, and the Italian Festival takes place in September, so a lot of the activity of this day is centered around wondering what will be open or not. However, as most years, it is likely to be a beautiful warm but clear fall day to get out and enjoy the first days of the season.

The first weekend alone there are nine sizzling jazz concerts to choose from, so jazz lovers will be blissed out for weeks. The festival 2010 calender shows a summary of the events, or for ultimate exposure you may want to take advantage of the volunteer opportunites and get behind the scenes!